Silos Estate was the first business in the Shoalhaven to join the Business Treading Lightly program.   They are a valued member of BTL and have demonstrated leadership in every aspect of sustainability.  Their list of achievements is best summed up below in an extract taken directly from their website.   

In 2007 Silos Estate outlined a three year plan to become fully self sufficient in energy needs and address unsustainable production practices.  This goal was achieved in mid-2010, with the Estate becoming carbon neutral for its energy needs in mid-2008.

All energy for the winery, accommodation and cellar door is generated via solar or wind power (100% renewable energy sources); all old and/or inefficient lighting and appliances have been replaced; all glass and paper is recycled; where possible all food waste is composted and its production process for viticulture and wine making completely redesigned (it is a non-irrigating vineyard; has removed all known environmentally damaging chemicals/sprays; use low carbon bottles for wine packaging etc.).

Silos Estate has now reduced its environmental footprint to such an extent by generating its own energy, it is anticipated that the Estate will soon be carbon negative i.e. sequester or offset more carbon than it emits.

Silos Estate has also taken major steps in the use of water.  All guests now use rainwater in their rooms, while all waste water is treated and recycled for use elsewhere on the Estate.  Silos Estate also does not irrigate its vines – one of the few wineries in Australia which doesn’t.  Each year, Silos Estate now saves hundreds of tonnes of CO2 emissions and tens of thousands of litres of water.  Coupled with our native tree planting program, this has dramatically reduced the ecological footprint of the Estate.

We very much want our visitors to have a worry free (and guilt free!) stay – and by and large, these environmentally sensitive measures have had no direct impact on our guests.  In fact, a number have chosen to adopt some of the measures we have implemented back at their homes locally and overseas.

Carbon Offsets
Silos Estate has also implemented an initiative whereby guests are able to use carbon credits to offset their emissions from driving to and from the Estate.  Based on calculations provided by the Australian Greenhouse Office, guests can have a small charge added to their bill which is used to offset their emissions by planting a tree.  Since the program commenced, dozens of trees have been planted and will be used to offset guests’ carbon emissions many times over.

In addition, Silos Estate now also offers carbon neutral weddings, where the entire carbon footprint for a wedding can be offset.

Environmental Awareness
Silos Estate is also proud to be a leader in environmental efforts in the region and was a founding participant in Earth Hour and Business Treading Lightly. The Estate is in the process of certification as the first EntWine Vineyard on the South Coast.  While we know that these activities sometimes appear to be more style than substance, they all help raise further awareness of environmental issues by living the ‘think global, act local’ promise.

Please see below for a quick video on their achievements.

The video below is a brief outline of how the Business Treading Lightly program assisted Silos Estate.